In memoriam: University administrator John K. Enger dies at 75

FFRF Member John K. Enger, 75, of Menomonie, Wis., died on Dec. 29, 2021.

John was born Jan. 26, 1946, in Ashland, Wis., to John Kenneth Enger and Gladys (Hertreiter) Enger of Butternut. He grew up in Park Falls, Wis., attending St. Anthony’s grade school and Lincoln High School.

He graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, with a major in speech and a minor in journalism. On June 8, 1968, he married Christine Warteman in Eau Claire.

Before attending college, he was announcer for WPFP radio in Park Falls. He later served as news director of WBIZ and assistant news director and anchor at WEAU-TV, Eau Claire.

In 1969, he joined the staff of the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he held a number of administrative positions. He retired in 2005 as executive director of university relations. He was granted emeritus status upon retirement. During his tenure at Stout, he served under three different chancellors and was a senior adviser on matters of government and media relations, crisis management and legal affairs.

He was a staunch supporter of civil liberties and a lifetime member of the American Civil Liberties Union. He and his wife Christine were very proud to sponsor an endowed university scholarship dedicated to the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. John generously left a bequest of $50,000 to FFRF.